On 1 February, King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden visited Sweden’s National Television’s headquarters in Stockholm to learn more about SVT’s public service missions and their planning of the coverage of the 2018 general elections.

They learned about SVT’s emergencies preparedness, and they also talked about how the change of the media landscape affects SVT as well as the role of journalism in a democratic society.

King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia took toured the headquarters and visited many different studios. They were able to learn how SVT deals with the challenge of live reporting breaking news efficiently and factually and what they were planning regarding coverage for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.

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When the host of the Morning Show told the King that they were also planning their coverage of the general election – which will take place on 9 September – and that is was a significant and important task, the King said: “I think the Olympics are more fun!”

During the visit of one of those studios, Queen Silvia had the opportunity to play the role of a meteorologist and present a weather forecast. SVT’s meteorologist Pia Hutlgren showed the Queen how the screens worked before the Queen tried herself. Svenskdam reports that she did rather well as the “weather queen”.

SVT has a long-standing relationship with the Swedish Royal Family. Indeed, they broadcasted the most recent weddings and christenings as well as the National Day celebrations and the Victoriadagen celebrations. They also follow the working members of the Royal Family during the year in order to release a documentary at the end of each year, called ‘Ared med Kungafamiljen” (A Year with the Royal Family) in which they share behind the scenes footage of the royals’ events.